By Imogen Rossam
The IVF journey for many of us is not often a short one. Many couples go through multiple rounds of IVF, spanning years, before they get to hold their precious bundle of joy. When going through round after round of infertility treatments, taking some time off in between cycles can literally be a life-saver. Here are a few signs that it might be time to take a break from the IVF rollercoaster:
The thought of another round makes you feel sick
If you are filled with dread at the thought of walking through the infertility clinic’s doors any time soon, it definitely is time for a break. You should feel emotionally ready and almost a little excited at the thought of trying again, until that point rather take some time off to heal and get strong again.
Your relationship is in the toilet
Without question, IVF puts an incredible amount of pressure on any relationship or marriage. Multiple rounds of IVF just make things even worse. If your relationship is suffering and you have both forgotten why you got together in the first place, a time-out is needed. Take some time to rekindle your flame, go for counselling, and try and remember what it feels like to have fun together.
Your body is not at its best
Hormone treatment plays havoc not only with your hormones and your mental state, it can also seriously throw your body balance out of whack. Many women put on a significant amount of weight through the IVF process as well. If you are feeling completely out of touch with your body, or that it isn’t looking as good as it could, perhaps taking a bit of a “health-focused” break could be just what you need. Get back to healthy eating, start an exercise regime, and even set a goal to fit into your summer cozzie again!
You’re an emotional wreck
If you can’t even bring yourself to open up Facebook or Instagram in case you see another person’s pregnancy announcement, it might not only be time to take a break from IVF but from social media as well. If you are feeling like a basket-case and can’t seem to get a handle on your emotions – whether it be sadness, anger, irritation, or depression – it’s a glaring sign that you might, not only, need some healing time, but also that you should probably consider chatting to a psychologist or counsellor to unpack your emotions too.
If you’re experiencing any or all of these situations and are not sure where to turn for help, contact us at IFAASA today. We can help point you in the right direction to help you to start finding yourself again.
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